New Delhi, April 20 -- In a major move to tackle water scarcity and urban flooding, the Delhi government has made rainwater harvesting mandatory across the city, with Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh leading a coordinated push involving over 60 departments. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, marking a shift towards stricter enforcement and accountability.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls," aiming to turn water conservation into a mass movement. Officials said the policy will help address both water shortages during summers and waterlogging during monsoons.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister highlighted the need for urgent action, stating, "For four months every year, rainwater flows through our drains and goes to waste.
"If we channel this water into the ground, we can recharge our groundwater and reduce the crisis we face
every summer."
All departments have been assigned time-bound targets to install functional rainwater harvesting systems in government buildings, parks, residential colonies, and institutional campuses before the monsoon. Emphasising accountability, he said, "Every department has been assigned responsibility. if systems are not installed, they must be put in place immediately."
The Delhi Jal Board will play a key role in implementation and monitoring, along with financial incentives.
"Delhi Jal Board will share part of the cost and provide a 10 per cent rebate where rainwater harvesting systems are functional," the Minister said, adding that non-compliance could lead to withdrawal of benefits.
He also stressed stricter enforcement, noting, "Till now, there was a rule but no real checking. That will change."
Calling for collective action, he said, "This cannot be left to the government alone. Water is a shared responsibility."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.